Top 20 Most Common Mushrooms in Weslaco
Welcome to our detailed guide showcasing the top 20 mushroom species commonly found in Weslaco. Nestled in a region boasting a unique ecosystem, Weslaco is home to a multitude of fungi. The city's warm, humid climate creates an ideal environment for an impressive array of these captivating organisms, making it a haven for mushroom enthusiasts. Explore with us the fascinating fungal world of Weslaco.
Most Common Mushrooms
1. Hairy hexagonia
The hairy hexagonia (Hexagonia hydnoides) is not the most common mushroom you'll find, but has very distinctive qualities. Stiff, dark brown, bristle-like hairs emerge from an ochre flat cap and are found growing from a decaying tree stump or wood. The large pores on the cap's underside create an almost sponge-like appearance, and the stem is otherwise not visible.
2. Split gill
Split gill(Schizophyllum commune) can be found across the globe. Uniquely, it is the only mushroom species known to display the capability to retract by movement. It is considered inedible, although not necessarily toxic. Furthermore, it is not recommended to smell this species, as the spores are capable of sprouting and growing in nasal passages.
3. Gold-eye lichen
The almost indistinguishable species is a gray-yellow or light to orange-orange, bush-shaped camp with marginal fibrils. However, adhesive fibers are missing. The length of the slightly flattened sections is about 1.5 cm. The frequently formed fruiting bodies (apothecaries) have an orange disc with characteristic eyelashes on the edge and a diameter of 2 to 7 mm. The Photobiont is a member of the green algae genus Trebouxia.
4. Desert shaggy mane
As its name suggests, the desert shaggy mane (Podaxis pistillaris) erupts from seemingly improbably conditions, out of the hot and arid ground in North American deserts. They are commonly found living harmoniously with colonies of termites in termite mounds. The desert shaggy mane is toxic and not safe to consume.
5. Hoary rosette lichen
The rosette bearing of Physcia aipolia is whitish to white-gray and reaches a maximum diameter of 6 cm. In contrast to the very similar Physcia stellaris, the camp is dotted white (especially when wet) and the marrow turns yellow with potassium hydroxide. The dark brown to black, mostly frosted Apothecia with thallusfarbenem edge occur frequently.
6. Flowerpot parasol
This tropical/subtropical mushroom is known to be toxic. If eaten it causes a very unpleasant stomachache with the risk of fatal complications. In temperate zones, flowerpot parasol is only found in hothouses and greenhouses, so the risk of accidental foraging is low, but it may occur with potted plants and indoor landscaping and pose a risk to curious children.
7. False parasol
Though the false parasol appears unassuming, the species is famous—or, infamous—for its toxicity. It looks unfortunately similar to Agericus campestrus, a commonly eaten mushroom, but the false parasol can be distinguished by its highly unusual green spore print. Although they are no good to eat, they can be pretty to look at. The species may grow in ring-shaped groups in meadows and on forest floors in what are sometimes called "fairy circles."
8. Sandy stiltball
Sandy stiltball(Battarrea phalloides) is an unusually tall species of puffball, a family of mushrooms that do not usually have noticeable stalks. Due to declining numbers in the wild, is illegal to pick in certain countries (including Hungary and the United Kingdom). Its edibility remains unstudied, and consumption is not advised.
9. Xanthomendoza weberi
10. Shaggy mane
The shaggy mane mushroom is commonly found in North American and European grasslands. Some peoples foraged for its young egg-shaped caps, but it has more recently been found to be a bioaccumulator of heavy metals, meaning it pulls toxic metals up from the soil where it grows. As a result, shaggy manes should not be eaten. The mushrooms usually appear in clusters or “fairy rings.”
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